Guiding homeless households
The Referral Service is primarily intended for low-income households in vulnerable situations who are homeless or about to become homeless and have not found a housing solution, particularly due to an evacuation, a sanitation issue, a major incident, an eviction or a repossession. These households are referred by partners, like borough and city inspectors and by the Red Cross. The Referral Service accompanies them in their search for housing and coordinates temporary emergency housing when necessary. Finally, it directs them to social, community and private housing resources and other specialized services as needed.
It is important to understand that the Referral Service does not have any apartments for rent. Its role is to help households with their search for housing.
Only low-income households, who have resided on the island of Montreal for the past 12 months and have used up their own resources, are eligible for this service.
The Referral Service is fully funded by the City of Montreal and is under the responsibility of the OMHM’s Housing Applications and Reference Department.
Every year, the Referral Service:
- receives around 2,500 calls from households needing assistance;
- makes around 2,000 referrals to different resources;
- helps around 320 households look for housing.
If you are about to lose your home and need assistance, please contact 311.
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The Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal (RAPSIM) offers the Directory of Community Housing and Social Housing Resources with Community Support, a free tool that brings together a variety of solutions for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.